In this study, we investigated the heat treatment
temperature effect on the morphology and oxygen reduction
reaction activity of carbon-supported Pd–Co alloy
electrocatalysts. As prepared Pd–Co bimetallic nanoparticles
showed a single-phase face-centered cubic disordered
structure, and the mean particle size decreased with a Co
content. In order to improve activity and stability, the
catalysts were heat-treated in a temperature range of 300 to
700 C. From the results of oxygen reduction reaction
activity tests, the optimal heat treatment temperature was
found to be 700 C for the low Co content samples, while
300 C was the best condition for the high Co content
samples.